SWMRS are world-weary. Sure, the four-piece have an average age that means buying alcohol legally in their native California still feels new but they, in one form or another, have been releasing music for eight years now. They’ve played the game, they’ve seen both highs and lows and they know what they want. On debut album ‘Drive North’, SWMRS take back control.
There’s a history behind the record but from the opening chime of ‘Harry Dean’, it’s meaningless. The band got out with their lust for life intact and ‘Drive North’ is doused in their multicoloured excitement. From the solid gold West Coast jam of ‘BRB’ to ‘Miss Yer Kiss’s wistful reflection, the band cut sunshine with shadows. It’s considered, fully-formed and oh-so-fun.
The bolshie writing’s-on-the-wall anthems of ‘Figuring It Out’ and ‘Uncool’ see the band leading the charge in being ok with not being ok while the title track is urgent encouragement to escape whatever’s holding you down. ‘Drive North’ sees the band figuring it out in real time. Big unifying statements are underpinned with acute, personal admissions giving the record a grand intimacy.